Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP)
The TMEP provides trademark examining attorneys in the USPTO, trademark applicants, and attorneys and representatives for trademark applicants with a reference work on the current law, practices, and procedures relative to prosecution of applications to register marks in the USPTO. The TMEP contains guidelines for examining attorneys and outlines the procedures that examining attorneys are required or authorized to follow in the examination of trademark applications.
Between updates to the TMEP, the Office occasionally provides guidance about a particular topic by issuing an Examination Guide. Typically, as to that topic, the Examination Guide supersedes the current edition of the TMEP to the extent any inconsistency exists. Any Examination Guides issued after publication of the May 2024 TMEP, or any issued prior to publication but not incorporated in the TMEP, are listed on the Trademark Examination Guides page.
Note: Since October 2012, the TMEP has been identified by the month and year in which it is issued. The current version of the TMEP is May 2024. Read the highlights of the clarifications and changes set forth in the May 2024 version.
Zipped PDF and HTML files and archived copies of prior versions of the TMEP, beginning with the 4th edition, are available at TMEP files and archives.
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (TBMP)
The TBMP provides stakeholders with basic information generally useful for litigating trial cases before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The manual describes current practice and procedure under the applicable authority, including the Trademark Act, the Trademark Rules of Practice, the Federal Rules (where applicable), and precedential case law.
The TBMP is updated periodically. Between updates, it is recommended that the TTAB's home page be checked for announcements concerning policy, practice and rules changes.
Acceptable Identification of Goods and Services Manual (ID Manual) Next Generation
The ID Manual lists identifications of goods and services and their respective classifications that the USPTO examining attorneys will accept without further inquiry if the specimens of record support the identification and classification. The listing is not exhaustive, but is intended to serve as a guide to both examining attorneys in acting on applications and to filers in preparing applications. Using language directly from the ID Manual helps avoid objections by examining attorneys concerning "indefinite" identifications of goods or services; however, applicants must assert actual use in commerce or a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce for the goods or services specified. Therefore, even with a definite identification, examining attorneys may inquire as to whether the identification chosen accurately identifies the applicant's goods or services.
A failure to list the goods/services correctly with which you use your mark, or intend to use your mark, may prevent you from registering your mark; therefore, proper selection from the ID Manual is critical. Need more information on how to identify your good/services? To learn more see our Goods and Services page.
After reviewing the ID Manual, if you cannot find an accurate identification for your goods or services in the ID Manual, you may suggest that a new identification be added to the ID Manual by following the instructions on the Trademark Identification Manual Suggestions page. Suggestions are reviewed by the Administrator for Trademark Classification Policy and Practice and are not automatically entered into the ID Manual.
Another resource is the International Schedule of Classes of Goods and Services. This is a listing, by class, of all of the headings for the international classes. It also identifies some of the most common items falling within the class, and includes explanatory notes indicating what the class specifically does and does not include. NOTE: Under U.S. Trademark law, class headings by themselves are not acceptable for registration purposes. The specific items of goods and/ or services must be listed.
The ID Manual Next Generation is best viewed in Google® Chrome® browser version 51 or higher, but is also accessible in Microsoft® Internet Explorer® Version 10 and higher. Display resolution settings above 900px are recommended for optimal viewing of the search window and results table.
Trademark Official Gazette
Every Tuesday, the USPTO issues the Trademark Official Gazette (TMOG), a publication that contains a depiction of the mark, the identification of goods and/or services, and owner information for: (1) marks published for opposition on the Principal Register; (2) marks registered on the Principal Register under 15 U.S.C. §1051(d); (3) marks registered on the Supplemental Register on the date of the particular issue in which the marks appear; and (4) updated registration certificates. The TMOG is presented in a easily searchable web-based form. The USPTO will continue to offer the PDF format for a period of time.
NOTE: Trademark notices, such as changes in rules or Office procedures and notices to parties who cannot be reached by mail, do not appear in the electronic TMOG, but instead are available on the Trademark Official Gazette Notices page.
Trademark Examination Guides
Between updates to the Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure (TMEP), the Office occasionally provides guidance about a particular issue through the issuance of an Examination Guide. Typically, as to that issue, the Examination Guide supersedes the current edition of the TMEP to the extent any inconsistency exists and the guidance contained therein is usually incorporated into the next edition of the TMEP.
Design Search Code Manual
The USPTO assigns all marks containing design figurative elements a 6-digit numerical code(s) for searching purposes. This manual indexes the categories, divisions, and sections that make up these codes. For example, a single five-pointed star would be coded in category 01 (celestial bodies, natural phenomena and geographical maps), division 01 (stars, comets) and section 03 (single star with five points), resulting in a complete design code of 01.01.03. The design search code manual also contains explanatory notes and specific guidelines that provide instructions for specific code sections, cross-reference notes that direct users to other code categories, sections and divisions, and notes describing elements that are included or excluded from a code section. See our design search code page for more information.